As a day trip, hooray for Hollywood

The "entertainment capital of the world" continues to live up to its reputation as millions of people every year flock to see the home of American cinema.

Get a little star-struck, give in to the cheesy photo ops, and have a great time – who knows, maybe a little bit of celebrity will rub off on you. These are among the most time-honored things to do while in and around Hollywood.

Hollywood BowlOne of the best places to be on a summer evening is seeing the stars under the stars at the Bowl. Set against the Hollywood Hills, the historical venue features shows all summer long from the Los Angeles Philharmonic as well as touring artists from rock to jazz and all points in between. It is the largest natural amphitheater in the country, and after 90 years of concerts it has hosted most of the greatest musical talents in history.

Come early and bring a picnic to enjoy the true Bowl experience. Tickets for the 2012 summer season, including performances from Diana Krall, Barry Manilow, B.B. King, a farewell from Glen Campbell and a celebration of Miles Davis, all go on sale Saturday at 10 a.m.MORE INFORMATION: 323-850-2000 or hollywoodbowl.com PHOTO: KEVIN SULLIVAN, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER / TEXT: KATE LUCAS, OCR

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Hollywood Walk of Fame Since 1958, celebrities of screen, radio, music and pop culture have been honored for their achievements with large coral stars along Hollywood Boulevard. To date, there are 2,470 stars – the most recent honoree, Scarlett Johansson (pictured above), received hers Wednesday.

Grauman's Chinese TheatreOpened in 1927, the iconic theater has been host to many premieres over the years, including "Star Wars" and "Breakfast at Tiffany's." Tours are held seven days a week and feature stories and fun facts about the theater's illustrious history.

At the Forecourt of the Stars, measure your hands and feet against imprints left by legends of the past (Judy Garland and Clark Gable) to the more recently famous (the cast of "Twilight").MORE INFORMATION: 323-461-3331 or chinesetheatres.com TEXT: KATE LUCAS, OCR / PHOTO: DAVID MCNEW, GETTY IMAGES

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Hollywood and Highland CenterA large mall and entertainment complex, the center features several levels of shops and restaurants and is also the home of the Academy Awards broadcast. Explore the Babylon Courtyard, walk the Road to Hollywood, or view the Hollywood Sign through the center's open-air entrance.

The two-story Awards Walk features backlit glass plaques for each best picture Oscar winner, which lead up a sweeping staircase with red mosaic tile to the main entrance of the Hollywood and Highland Theater (formerly the Kodak Theatre).

Tours of the theater (which has also hosted the "American Idol" finale) are available seven days a week and offer the chance to see a real Oscar statuette, VIP rooms and the opulent interior of the venue.MORE INFORMATION: 323-467-6412 or hollywoodandhighland.com TEXT: KATE LUCAS, OCR / PHOTO: DAVID MCNEW, GETTY IMAGES

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Paramount StudioGet a behind-the-scenes glimpse at the only remaining major studio in Hollywood. Zip around in oversized golf carts with stops at soundstage sets where some of the most celebrated motion pictures and television shows were made. Two-hour tours are available Monday-Friday, while a more intensive and revealing look at Paramount is available only on Fridays and lasts more than twice as long.MORE INFORMATION: 323-956-1777 or paramountstudiotour.com TEXT: KATE LUCAS, OCR / PHOTO: JASON KIRK, GETTY IMAGES

The "entertainment capital of the world" continues to live up to its reputation as millions of people every year flock to see the home of American cinema.

Get a little star-struck, give in to the cheesy photo ops, and have a great time – who knows, maybe a little bit of celebrity will rub off on you. These are among the most time-honored things to do while in and around Hollywood.

The "entertainment capital of the world" continues to live up to its reputation as millions of people every year flock to see the home of American cinema.

Get a little star-struck, give in to the cheesy photo ops, and have a great time – who knows, maybe a little bit of celebrity will rub off on you. These are among the most time-honored things to do while in and around Hollywood.

Hollywood Walk of Fame

Since 1958, celebrities of screen, radio, music and pop culture have been honored for their achievements with large coral stars along Hollywood Boulevard. To date, there are 2,470 stars – the most recent honoree, Scarlett Johansson, received hers Wednesday.

An online feature allows you to look up your favorite entertainer's star location.

Opened in 1927, the iconic theater has been host to many premieres over the years, including "Star Wars" and "Breakfast at Tiffany's." Tours are held seven days a week and feature stories and fun facts about the theater's illustrious history.

At the Forecourt of the Stars, measure your hands and feet against imprints left by legends of the past (Judy Garland and Clark Gable) to the more recently famous (the cast of "Twilight").

One of the best places to be on a summer evening is seeing the stars under the stars at the Bowl. Set against the Hollywood Hills, the historical venue features shows all summer long from the Los Angeles Philharmonic as well as touring artists from rock to jazz and all points in between. It is the largest natural amphitheater in the country, and after 90 years of concerts it has hosted most of the greatest musical talents in history.

Come early and bring a picnic to enjoy the true Bowl experience. Tickets for the 2012 summer season, including performances from Diana Krall, Barry Manilow, B.B. King, a farewell from Glen Campbell and a celebration of Miles Davis, all go on sale Saturday at 10 a.m.

A large mall and entertainment complex, the center features several levels of shops and restaurants and is also the home of the Academy Awards broadcast. Explore the Babylon Courtyard, walk the Road to Hollywood, or view the Hollywood Sign through the center's open-air entrance.

The two-story Awards Walk features backlit glass plaques for each best picture Oscar winner, which lead up a sweeping staircase with red mosaic tile to the main entrance of the Hollywood and Highland Theater (formerly the Kodak Theatre).

Tours of the theater (which has also hosted the "American Idol" finale) are available seven days a week and offer the chance to see a real Oscar statuette, VIP rooms and the opulent interior of the venue.

Get a behind-the-scenes glimpse at the only remaining major studio in Hollywood. Zip around in oversized golf carts with stops at soundstage sets where some of the most celebrated motion pictures and television shows were made. Two-hour tours are available Monday-Friday, while a more intensive and revealing look at Paramount is available only on Fridays and lasts more than twice as long.

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